Thursday, 1 September 2016 04:19:18 Europe/London

Mrs David Cameron has spent six years at No 10 Downing Street as wife of the UK Prime Minister and she has been an elegant icon for British Fashion. Her sophisticated dress sense stood her in good stead throughout her tenure behind that black front door. Favouring British designers, and young ones at that, she has waved the flag for home-grown talent. One of our first sightings was of her in a blue Emilia Wickstead dress and on the date of her farewell exit from Downing Street she wore a printed Preen frock. Her understated shift-dresses in a strong colour and often in a print became her trademark; high necks and usually with a sleeve, her look was demure. Skirt lengths brushed her knees and the slightly A-line skirts meant no riding up or inconvenient creases. This was a wardrobe thought through and that worked for all events. Rather like Anna Wintour, she got the colourful dress to do the job. Because of the designers she chose to wear the effect was always glamorous. How clearly her look illustrates that cleavage and knees are not required for the voyage. Her mother is Lady Astor who owned Jones, the jewellery boutique in Beauchamp Place in the 60s, and who is also owner and creator of the homeware brand OKA. Her sister is an editor at British Vogue and Samantha herself is Creative Consultant to Smythsons. With that design provenance it's not surprising she never puts a foot wrong in the frock stakes. She is said to love Joseph and Zara as well as favouring designers Rosanna llincic, Peter Pilotto and Preen. She usually emphasises her waist by adding a narrow leather belt to her dresses and always wears high heels. Her shoulder-length brown hair is worn down and is always shiny and devoid of hair furniture, tricky cuts or blonde highlights. She is obviously a smart shopper, and works to a reasonable budget. With events every day and the press following her every move I have found her working style always polished, elegant and contemporary; a difficult feat to pull off – so impressive.

Dolly Jones is my ‘Woman of Substance’ this month. Promoted last year from Editor of vogue.co.uk to Digital Strategy Director of Conde Nast Digital, Dolly is one of the most experienced people in digital fashion